Parents Concerned About Internet Usage In The Classroom.

While many schools have strengthened their computer security, parents across America are concerned about inappropriate content and information theft when their kids log on in the classroom, The Conference Board and TNS report.

The Consumer Internet Barometer is produced by The Conference Board and TNS, the world’s largest custom research company, and covers 10,000 households.

Approximately 41 percent of online households include school-age children (enrolled in Kindergarten through college). At home and at school, in libraries and community centers, an overwhelming majority of children regularly use a PC to complete their schoolwork. Parents log on to communicate with their child’s teacher, as well as to access grades.

Mom and Dad Worry About Content and Security

Nearly 56 percent of parents are concerned that their kids view only age-appropriate content when logging on from the classroom. Their second biggest worry – voiced by half of all parents – is about privacy and identity theft. Unsolicited email ranks a very close third. Some 49 percent of parents are irritated that they and their kids are bombarded by unsolicited email. Parents are also concerned about the spreading of viruses through file sharing and spyware devices (the monitoring of personal computers by unknown third parties.)

“Although the Internet is an information tool that can educate children, parents are worried about their kids viewing inappropriate content or the possibility of ID theft when they log on in the classroom,” says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “Both parents and educational institutions need to join efforts to ensure their kids understand the dangers of the Internet, and to make sure the proper tools and guidelines are used to minimize these risks.”

“There is a federal law in place to protect children’s online privacy,” says David Stark, TNS Chief Privacy Officer. “Parents and teachers need to be aware that companies cannot ask children under the age of 13 for their personal information online without first obtaining verifiable parental consent.”

Never Too Young to Point and Click

Computers are clearly a part of the elementary school learning experience, as more than 30 percent of students in K-5 now use computers in the classroom. Computing at home is not far behind, with more than 26 percent of K-5 students also using home computers.

Computer usage dips slightly during the middle-school years, but rebounds, particularly at home (to 29.4 percent), during high school. This reflects students’ increased workload and need to conduct research for school projects.

The Family Logs On

A third of parents with kids in grades K-5 say they have, or will, use the Internet as a learning tool at home with their child. Nearly a quarter use it to stay in touch with their child’s teachers. But parental assistance eases as children mature and become more Internet savvy and independent. By high school, only 19 percent of parents use the computer along with their child for educational purposes.

As students get older and become more independent, parents are increasingly using the Internet to check on their kids’ homework assignments and grades.

For more information at http://www.tns-global.com